Equipment Maintenance Flashcards
7 cards from real CMLA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Equipment Maintenance flashcards as text
During a routine check, a laboratory thermometer reads 2°C higher than the NIST-traceable reference thermometer. What is the correct response?
Answer: Apply a correction factor and document it, or replace the thermometer
A documented correction factor or thermometer replacement ensures temperature-sensitive specimens and reagents are stored at the true required temperature.
What is the function of a rotor imbalance detector in a centrifuge?
Answer: To shut down the centrifuge automatically if unequal loading causes dangerous vibration
Rotor imbalance detectors prevent mechanical damage and rotor failure by stopping the centrifuge when dangerous vibration is detected.
Which laboratory instrument requires a daily linearity check using a neutral density filter set?
Answer: Spectrophotometer
Neutral density filters with certified percent transmittance values are used to verify spectrophotometer photometric linearity.
A pipette calibration check shows it consistently delivers 2% less volume than the set value. This type of error is called:
Answer: Systematic (bias) error
A consistent directional offset across all measurements is a systematic or bias error, often correctable through recalibration.
What should a medical laboratory assistant do before performing any internal maintenance on an automated analyzer?
Answer: Power off the instrument and follow lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures
LOTO procedures isolate the instrument from its energy source, preventing accidental activation and protecting the technician during internal maintenance.
Which component of a biosafety cabinet (BSC) should be tested annually by a certified professional?
Answer: HEPA filter integrity and airflow velocity
Annual NSF-certified testing of HEPA filter integrity and airflow velocity ensures the BSC provides adequate containment and personnel protection.
An automated cell counter gives inconsistent WBC counts on replicate runs of the same sample. After ruling out sample mixing issues, what is the most likely instrument cause?
Answer: A partially blocked aperture or flow cell
A partial clog in the aperture or flow cell causes variable cell counts by disrupting the consistent flow of cells past the detector.